MLB News Index

Monday, June 15, 2015

Milwaukee centerfielder Carlos Gomez broke his bat in the seventh inning in yesterdays loss to the Nationals. The ball that looped off that broken bat landed in short right field, perfectly positioned between the second baseman and the rightfielder. That broken bat bloop single would be the only hit against Max Scherzer who later walked one for the only two baserunners in the whole game. Scherzer also struck out 16 in the 4-0 shutout win, his 7th of the season. Gomez said he would have been happy to break up the perfect game, just not with a hit like that ""I'm happy because I hit it, but not really because when a guy had a game like that, and stuff like that, I mean I don't enjoy it. I would enjoy it if I hit a real base hit." said Gomez after the game.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Alex Rodriguez drove in runs 2000 and 2001 in yesterdays 9-4 Yankee loss to the Orioles at Camden Yards. A-Rod is third on the all time RBI list behind Hank Aaron at 2297 and Babe Ruth at 2213, that's some pretty elite company. After missing more than a year because of illegal substance suspension, A-Rod has surprised many this year by his age defying performance. he is batting 273 with 12 homers and 32 RBIs, while staying mostly in the DH role for the Yankees.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Felix Hernandez couldn't make it out of the first inning yesterday in Houston. Hernandez pitched just 1/3 of an inning, tying the shortest start of his career. He agreed after the game , "I killed the bullpen, Its my fault, this is the worst start of my career.".

Houston scored eight runs in the first inning, all eight off Hernandez. His ERA jumped from 2.51 to 3.38. Houston went on to win 10-0. The game also featured the first homerun by rookie Astros Carlos Correa, and Seattle back up catcher Jesus Sucre take the mound in the eighth and pitch a scoreless inning.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Albert Pujols rocketed homerun number 537 yesterday passing Mickey Mantle on the all time homer list. The blast helped secure a 7-2 Angels win over the Rays. Pujols is now 11 homers behind Mike Schmidt as he edges into even more exclusive company.He is second only to Alex Rodriguez among active players, ARod has 665 homers.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

EDINSON VOLQUEZ pitched seven innings to pick up his fifth win of the season, completing a three game sweep of the second place Minnesota Twins. Coming into the series the Royals were one game behind the Twins, but now lead the Al Central by 2. ALEX GORDON helped the Royals by blasting his seventh homerun of the season. Frustration was obvious on the Twins bench as both TORII HUNTER and Manager Paul Molitor were ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Giants rookie CHRIS HESTON threw the first no-hitter of 2015 yesterday. Heston was only 3 hit batsmen away from a perfect game as the SF Giants shutdown the NY Mets 5-0 in New York. Heston finished the game with 11ks and struck out the side to finish the game in the ninth. This is the fourth year in a row that the Giants have thrown a no-hitter and the 17th overall in franchise history.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

The Cubs have shored up their bullpen by signing free agent reliever RAFAEL SORIANO to a minor league contract. Soriano pitched for the Nationals last year and had remained a free agent despite the dearth of talent in some major league pens. Cubs skipper Joe Madden knows Soriano well from his days that he relied on Soriano as a setup man out of the Tampa Bay bullpen.

Sources indicate Soriano signed a $4 million dollar contract (prorated) with an additional $4 million in incentives potentially available.

The 2015 MLB Amateur Draft was held yesterday and for the first time in history the top three selections were all shortstops. Arizona had the number 1 overall pick and selected Vanderbilt's Dansby Swanson. The first round included eight shortstops total, another first for the MLB Draft.

Rounds 1 and 2 were selected on Monday with rounds 3 through 10 to continue today.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

The Texas Rangers places Andre Beltre on the disabled list after spraining his left thumb. In the meantime the Rangers will call up their top prospect 3B JOEY GALLO. A Rangers spokesperson explained that the call up is for the expected three week period that Beltre is expected to be out. " There is not going to be any Quarterback controversy" they said, referring to a third base log jam.
However as other teams have found out, the problem is much harder if Gallo performs beyond expectations.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Texas rookie CHI CHI GONZALEZ started his major league debut with five hit-less, scoreless innings against Boston on Saturday. The rookie right hander looked pretty seasoned before he was lifted with two outs in the sixth.

Along the way he did give up five walks and threw 105 pitches, but Rangers players and coaches had nothing but praise for the youngster, who had made a case to make the team out of spring training. Rodriguez stated he knew he had a no-hitter going after five and he acknowledged that he was very amped up.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Walk offs are exciting, a walk off grand slam is really exciting. Last night the Padres beat the Pirates 6-2. The unlikely hero was DEREK NORRIS the Padres Catcher who went 1 for 5 in the game, the other four at bats....all strikeouts. So when Norris came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, with the winning run on third base, the crowd was a little pessimistic. Norris changed everyone's mind though as he rocked a fastball over the fence in between left and center fields.

This was the first walk off victory for the Padres in 2015 and puts them just two games below 500 in their quest to get back into the mix in the National League West race.

Friday, May 29, 2015

Red Sox rookie starter EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ made his major league debut in Texas last night, which also happened to be the first home game for JOSH HAMILTON in his return to the Rangers.

The home crowd gave Hamilton several long ovations and he responded well, going 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and an RBI.

But the rookie was baffling, going 7 2/3 scoreless innings and leaving the game with a 5-0 lead. Rodriguez struck out seven allowing only three hits and two walks. The Red Sox hope he can perform at this level and give them the good problem of having six starters in the Major Leagues.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

NOAH SYNDERGAARD helped himself out in the NY Mets 7-0 win over the Phillies at CitiField. Besides throwing 7 1/3 scoreless innings on Wednesday with six strikeouts, Syndergaard also lit it up from the other side, batting 3 for 3 with a mammoth homerun.

Only this type of performance could overshadow the day LUCAS DUDA had going 3 for 4 with a double and two long balls.

Syndergaard received his second consecutive standing ovation as he left the CitiField mound in the eighth. The Mets completed the three game sweep of the Phillies and are off on Thursday before traveling to Florida to take on the Marlins

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

JOSH DONALDSON had a pretty good night at the plate. The Toronto slugger went 4 for 4 with a walk, highlighted with 2 homeruns, and four RBIs, he also scored five runs. Oh, and by the way the second homer was a walk off in the bottom of the ninth to win the game for the BlueJays 10-9 against the WhiteSox.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

The fifth inning turned out to be crucial for Astros rookie pitcher LANCE MCCULLERS who was in a jam. With no outs and runners on first and second, Detroits IAN KINSLER hit a sharp grounder to third. Utility infielder JONATHAN VILLAR snagged the grounder, made a strong throw to JOSE ALTUVE covering second who avoided a take out slide by ANTHONY GOSE and fired to CHRIS CARTER at first beating Kinsler and recording Houstons first triple play since 2004.

McCullers was able to notch his first major league win, thanks to the fifth inning ending triple play.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Mets all-star third baseman DAVID WRIGHT has suffered another setback in his attempt to come off the disabled List. Wright who has been on the DL since April 15 with hamstring tightness, has neen diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a tightening of the spinal column. The diagnosis comes after Wright suffered lower back pain that kept his rehabilitation from proceeding as scheduled.

The Mets released a statement that the condition does not appear to be degenerative and they will change their rehab to introduce strengthening exercises for the lower back to alleviate the problem. Needless to say, Wright will not be with the club anytime soon.

Friday, May 22, 2015

MADISON BUMGARER became the first major league pitcher to homer off CLAYTON KERSHAW.

In the third inning Bumgarner jumped on the first pitch and pulled it into the left field stands. The homer put the Giants up 1-0 and then Bumgarner never looked back as the GIants pitching staff combined to shut out the Dodgers 4-0.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

The unexpected early season success of the Houston Astros can partly be explained by the success of the young guns on the starting rotation. DALLAS KEUCHEL contributed to that in last nights victory over the Oakland A's 6-1.

Keuchel moves to 6-0 on the year bouncing back from no decisions in his previous two outings.

The Astros continued their hot start, the best in club history and stay on top of the AL West with a 2 game lead over the Angels. The surprising Astros are 27-14, close to the best record in the MLB, following only the St Louis Cardinals who are 27-13.

Monday, May 18, 2015

After a rough start to the 2015 season (16-22) the Marlins have fired Manager MIKE REDMOND. The Marlins named General Manager DAN JENNINGS as the replacement manager, but its not clear at this time if that is a permanent replacement or just a stop gap measure til a new Manager is hired. Ironically Jennings will be the third Manager on the Marlins current payroll. They are still paying Ozzie Guillan, Mike Redmond and now Dan Jennings for contracts in the 2015 season.

In 2003, in an eerily similar start, the Marlins fired Manager Jeff Torborg after starting the season at 16-22. They then hired former GM Jack McKeon who went on to manage the Marlins to a 2003 World Series Title. Sounds like they are sticking to that playbook in 2015.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

HUNTER PENCE returned from the disabled list last night. He started the season on the DL after breaking his arm in spring training. The Giants have started the season at 19-18 have been missing the offensive power and spark usually provided by Pence. In his debut back, he provided just that. Pence went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk and scored 3 runs. Leading the Giants to an 11-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Last night Rangers Third-baseman ADRIAN BELTRE joined the 400 home-run club. Beltre remained humble in the post game interview when asked about his milestone, he stated that he was more concerned that the Rangers fell to the Indians 8-3 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Beltre becomes just the fourth third-baseman to hit 400 (with more than 75% of games at third base), joining hall of famers MIKE SCHMIDT, EDDIE MATTHEWS and future Hall of Famer CHIPPER JONES. He is currently fourth among active players, only behind ALEX RODRIGUEZ, ALBERT PUJOLS and DAVID ORTIZ.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Excitement is building in Chicago. Manager JOE MADDEN notched his 800th career win in Thursday Afternoon's 6-5 win over the NY Mets. The Cubs swept the three game series, exciting the fan base who have high expectations after ownership brought in Madden to manage the blue chip young batters on the Cubs roster.
With number 800 Madden ranks 8th among active Major League managers.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Last Year's American League Cy Young winner CORY KLUBER has his first win of the season.
After a slow start Kluber quieted all doubters last night, taking a no hitter into the seventh inning. He finished with an eight inning, eighteen strikeout, shutout performance. The Indians held on to win the gem 2-0. Kluber tied the Cleveland franchise strikeout record in a regulation game, Bob Feller also stuck out eighteen in 1938.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

GIANCARLO STANTON blasted one out of Dodger Stadium, literally last night. The estimatated distance of 478ft is one of the longest homeruns hit this year. The Homerun was only the fifth ever to be blasted out of Dodger Stadium. Despite the homer the Marlins lost to the Dodgers 11-1.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Cuban phenom, infielder HECTOR OLIVERA has been granted a visa to travel to California to take a physical to complete the contract he signed with the Dodgers in March. The Offensive Cuban All-star, will then report to the Dodgers minor league training facility to work out. It's not clear how much minor league time Olivera will need before making his MLB debut. The current Dodger infield has been performing well but three of the four starters only are signed through 2015.
The Dodgers were selected by Olivera after a competitive bidding process signing a six year $60+ million dollar deal, despite having a slight ucl tear in his throwing elbow.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

FELIX HERNANDEZ recorded his 2,000th career strikeout, whiffing Oakland's Sam Fuld in the fifth inning of Sunday's game.

"From afar, when I was on the other side, I knew he was good, but I didn't know he was this great of a competitor," Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "Even a better teammate, so the accolades just keep coming and coming with this guy.
"He's a delight to watch every fifth day and I think we're all blessed. I'm not sure if everybody realizes what he's actually doing, but this guy's real, real good."

The crowd at Safeco Field gave Hernandez a standing ovation as he tossed the baseball to the dugout to keep as a souvenir and then walked around the mound. He finished with six strikeouts in seven innings in the Mariners 4-3 win to improve to 6-0 on the season.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

The New York Mets will call up top pitching prospect, their number 1 prospect and the overall number 11 prospect in the major leagues, on Tuesday. Syndergaard will make a spot start on Tuesday at Wrigley field in Chicago. Dillon Gee was placed on the 15 day disabled list, retroactive to his last start, with a groin injury. Syndergaard is not expected to remain with the team after Gee comes back from the DL.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

When Alex Rodriguez hit his milestone 660th home run Friday, it was unlike any of the previous 659 he had hit previously in one significant way. The solo shot, which tied A-Rod with Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time home run list, was Rodriguez's first as a pinch-hitter. He was just 1-for-16 as a pinch-hitter prior to the milestone homer, with the one hit being a single back on Aug. 25, 2013. Rodriguez's 660th homer also came on a 3-0 pitch, marking just the third time in his 21-year career that he's homered when facing a 3-0 count.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

BRYCE HARPER went 3 for 4 including three homeruns in his first three at bats in today's game.
The Nationals beat the Marlns 7-5 in Miami.
Harper had a chance to tie the Major League record of four homeruns in a regulation game, but ended with a ground ball out in the seventh inning.
Sixteen major leaguers are tied with four homeruns in a game, including LOU GHERIG,WILLIE MAYS and most recently JOSH HAMILTON in 2012

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Despite winning back to back games for the first time this season, the Milwaukee Brewers front office fired Manager Ron Roenicke after Sundays game.The Brewers have the Major leagues worst record 7-18.The front office has not stated who would be the interim manager as of late Sunday night.

On the opening night of their second home-stand of the season, the NY Mets were beaten 8-2 by the Washington Nationals. The Mets first home-stand of the season was a stellar 10-0 run. Including sweeps of the Phillies, Marlins and Braves.

Jacob Degrom was on the mound vs Stephen Strasburg for the Nationals. The Mets jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the third inning. The Nationals capitalized on a Wilmur Flores error on a tailor made double play ball with two on and no outs in the fourth. Degrom was visibly upset after being lifted in the sixth innning, he was pitching much better than his last performance against the NY Yankees where he was hit very hard and had trouble locating his pitches.

The four game series continues on Friday with the marquee piching matchup of Matt Harvey vs Max Scherzer.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Baltimore, the community unrest, resulting in riots and widespread looting, had cancelled Tuesday's game between the White Sox and the Orioles at Camden Yards. On Wednesday team and league officials have decided to not cancel the game, but to close the gates to the public, in order to save the City of Baltimore from having to pull over 200 police officers from the front lines of the turmoil. Earlier in the week the Maryland Governor had requested additional police officers from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York to respond and assist the law enforcement presence in downtown Baltimore.

Prior to last nights game with an Official attendance of zero, the MLB record low was six. Players and broadcasters described the experience as surreal.